Serbian Family Visa: Common Mistakes to Avoid

10 Jul Serbian Family Visa: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Building a new life in Serbia is a great journey. However, a journey is best shared with your loved ones. The process of bringing your family to join you is, therefore, a top priority. Thankfully, Serbian law provides a clear path for family joining.

You must, of course, navigate the rules for spouses and children. This means you need to prepare every detail with care. For this reason, this guide will give you a clear, step-by-step plan. In short, we want you to reunite with your family here in Serbia.

The process itself is well-defined. But, ensuring every document is perfect is key. That is why we specialize in helping with this entire process. We turn a complex task into a smooth and successful reunion.

Who Can I Bring to Serbia? (Defining “Family”)

The family joining process needs a “Sponsor.” Specifically, the Sponsor is the person who already has a valid Serbian residence permit (boravišna dozvola). They may have it through work or business, for instance. Then, the Sponsor can apply for residency for their immediate family members.

Eligible family members usually include:

• Spouses
• Registered or Common-law Partners. (Note: It is harder to prove a common-law partnership than a marriage).
• Minor Children (under 18 years of age).

The government will link the residence permits for your family to your own permit. As a result, they will share the same valid dates.

The Critical First Step: Key Documents & The Apostille Rule

Before you start any application, the Sponsor must have their own valid residence permit. With that in place, the next step is getting the official papers ready. Indeed, one rule is more important than all the others.

The Apostille Rule: The Most Important Step

This is the biggest reason for failed applications. First, official papers from a foreign country are not valid in Serbia. For this reason, you must legalize them.

For most countries, this means you must get an Apostille stamp for the document. You have to do this in its country of origin. Specifically, this must be done before you bring the document to Serbia. After arriving, a certified court interpreter in Serbia must translate it.

An application with incorrect papers will be automatically rejected. Thankfully, our service includes a full review of your documents. In this way, we ensure they meet all rules before you submit them. This gives you complete peace of mind. You can contact us HERE.

Your Step-by-Step Application Plan

Once you prepare your documents correctly, the application process is logical and clear.

Step 1: Arrival & The “White Card” (Beli Karton)

First, every family member must complete this mandatory action. You must register their address at the local police station. In fact, you need to do this within 24 hours of arriving in Serbia. This document is absolutely required for the residence application.

Step 2: Assemble the Document Dossier

Next, you will need a complete file for each person. Your core papers, for example, will always include:

• A Valid Passport
• The “White Card” (Proof of Address)
• Proof of enough funds from the Sponsor (like a bank statement)
• Proof of health insurance for each family member
• A copy of the Sponsor’s passport and Serbian residence permit
• For a Spouse: The apostilled and translated Marriage Certificate.
• For a Child: The apostilled and translated Birth Certificate. In addition, if only one parent is the Sponsor, you will need a notarized consent letter from the other parent.

Step 3: The Online Application & Biometrics

You submit the application for each family member online. You can do this through the government’s online portal. After the government approves the application, each person gets an invitation. Then, they must attend a final, in-person appointment. Here, they provide their biometrics (fingerprints and signature). Shortly after, their physical residence card will be ready.

Our Family Reunification Services

Reuniting with your family should be a joyful time. It should not be a stressful one. For this reason, we designed our service to give you peace of mind. We do this by managing the entire process for you.

We help with the full residency process for your loved ones:

• Document Checking: First, we check your marriage and birth certificates. In this way, we ensure they have the correct apostille. This helps prevent costly errors.
• Application Management: Next, our team handles the complete online submission. We make sure every detail is perfect for each family member.
• Full Coordination: Also, we manage the process from start to finish. This allows you to focus on what truly matters. For example, preparing for your family’s arrival.
• Expert Oversight: Finally, our firm provides professional oversight. This practice helps you avoid common problems and ensures a smooth outcome.

In conclusion, let our team handle the details. We can help bring your loved ones home to Serbia.

Contact us today for a helpful call. Let us help you reunite your family without the stress.